As expected, Chelsea have appealed the transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA and have strongly refuted any allegations of wrongdoing.

Just a few weeks ago, the news broke that FIFA has banned Chelsea
from registering players for the next two transfer windows after conducting an investigation. This means
Chelsea would not be able to register new players in the summer and winter
transfer windows. They can agree deals with players and clubs but these deals cannot be formalised until the club has served it ban.

Despite the transfer ban, Chelsea can still sell their players as it does not affect outgoing moves.
However, the club has confirmed they will be appealing the ban. This is
according to a report by the BBC
who state that the club's management have stated that the ban is unjustifiable
and will be appealed.

The implication of this is that the ban may be suspended
pending a hearing. This would mean Chelsea will be able to sign players next
summer as the ban will be suspended - assuming the appeal hearing doesn't
happen before the summer transfer window.

Appealing the ban makes a lot of sense for me. We could do
with couple of signings in the summer and depending on what the club feel that they need to do (in light of the potential ban for a year), they could decide to head into the summer transfer window with the aim of spending big in addition to integrating the youngsters into the current squad.

Barcelona had similar
problems, they appealed and although they ended up serving a reduced ban, they
were still able to buy players before their appeal was heard.

As
suggested by football experts from www.olbg.comodds of Chelsea not serving a ban at all are not great indicating that it will be upheld, therefore it is better
to appeal with the aim of suspending the potential ban in order to allow Chelsea
sign players.

What does Chelsea need in the summer

There is opinion amongst the Chelsea fans that we could do with the signing of another
winger, a striker and a replacement for Marcos Alonso who they do not see remaining at
this club beyond this season. Also, there is the Eden Hazard situation. Should
the Belgian decide to leave the club in the summer (I doubt if Chelsea will be able to stop him). Let's be honest, if he wants to leave and
the right bid arrives Chelsea are very likely to sell.

Real Madrid will come calling in the
summer and if that happens, I doubt Eden Hazard will reject them having serves his time here for seven years.

What do you think of the decision to appeal the ban? Do you think we will be allowed to sign players in the summer? Who would you be looking to sign if we can?